Office of the Mayor

Mayor's Commission on Reentry

Mission

Our mission is to serve as a collaborative network of stakeholders and community organizations that connect individuals that are impacted by the correctional system with the resources needed to be successful upon reentry to the community. Collaborative partners include law enforcement agencies, corrections and supervision entities, resource agencies, social service and non-profit organizations, community members, and other private and public stakeholders.

For more information on the Reentry Commission and to find related resources visit us on Facebook - @ColumbusReentryCommission.

You can also visit www.211uwcv.org for resources - 211 is a service of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley to connect individuals with local resources. Search online, “text your zip code to 898211 for resources or dial 211 M-F, 7am-8pm for assistance from a specialist.“

Purpose

The purpose of the Mayor's Commission on Reentry is to coordinate local efforts to support adults exiting local and state incarceration facilities in Columbus and statewide that will be released to a Muscogee County residency. The Commission will provide the Mayor, City Council, the public, and any other appropriate agency with accurate and comprehensive information about this population in respect to service programs, barriers that contribute to their return to a life a crime (i.e. lack of employment opportunities, housing, access to education and healthcare, etc.), and best practices for meeting their needs. The Commission shall also publicly recognize programs that excel in service to this population. In addition, the Commission will coordinate information sharing, planning, and engagement among all interested private and public stakeholders to the extent permissible under Federal and State law.

Meetings are held every third Monday of the month at 1:00 pm at United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. Virtual attendance is available upon request. This meeting is open to the public. Please send us a message on Facebook to get access to join with the virtual option.

Members                                            
  • Kristin Barker, Chair – BETTER WORK Columbus
  • Pat Frey – Home for Good
  • Rev. Monica Spencer – VoteRiders
  • Baki Muhammad – Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department
  • Waleisah Wilson – NewLife-Second Chance Outreach, Inc.
  • Antonio Johnson – Georgia Department of Corrections
  • Tracey Mosley – Urban League of the River Valley
  • Reggie Lewis – Cure Violence
  • Janice Wells – Dept of Community Supervision
  • Kecia Cawthorne – Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
  • Cathy Robinson – SafeHouse Ministries
  • Gamaliel Torres - Community Member

Subcommittees
  • Housing - Pat Frey
  • Employment - Kristin Barker
  • Faith Community Resources - Rev. Monica Spencer

Advisors
  • Mayor Skip Henderson
  • Seth Brown

2024-2026 Commission Goals: Focused on Education and Resource Connection

  1. Educate housing organizations/programs on process gaps and solutions for better serving the reentry community.
  2. Fully implement the Reentry assessment process and referral system as outlined in the MOU between the Commission and GDC
  3. Educate businesses on why second chance hiring is critical to addressing workforce and economic challenges in Columbus.
  4. Educate the faith community to reduce biases and on effective resource delivery for the reentry community
Projects

FREE THE FUTURE

This project is designed to educate Chattahoochee Valley employers about reentry,the barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals face for gainful employment, and thearea has if we change our thought pattern to see that everyone deservesa second chance. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/freethefuturecv

REENTRY COORDINATED ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL SYSTEM

The Reentry Commission is developing a system through partnership with like-minded organizations that will allow individuals returning from incarceration to connect with resources needed for transition earlier and easier. This process will allow connections to begin prior to release and will follow these individuals along their transitional journey.